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UFL team to Sac State
- Thread starter Green Cookie Monster
- Start date
“A move from San Francisco to Sacramento would involve replacing the grass field at 22,500-seat Hornet Stadium with a synthetic surface, according to those with knowledge of the plans. The cost of replacing the existing field is expected to be covered by the league and a private donor.
Sac State athletic director Terry Wanless said the university has been looking for a synthetic field for some time because it holds up better than grass and can support more uses. He acknowledged that the university has been in discussions with the UFL but said no deal has been finalized.”
So what happens when the league folds? Will Sac State have to pick up the financial slack when the UFL goes defunct? Also if they help pick up the tap for the turf, what obligations will Sac State have towards the UFL? What advantages are there for hosting a UFL club on campus? Sac State shared its field with a professional team before, was that a positive experience or not? Anyone have any insight into this ordeal?
Sac State athletic director Terry Wanless said the university has been looking for a synthetic field for some time because it holds up better than grass and can support more uses. He acknowledged that the university has been in discussions with the UFL but said no deal has been finalized.”
So what happens when the league folds? Will Sac State have to pick up the financial slack when the UFL goes defunct? Also if they help pick up the tap for the turf, what obligations will Sac State have towards the UFL? What advantages are there for hosting a UFL club on campus? Sac State shared its field with a professional team before, was that a positive experience or not? Anyone have any insight into this ordeal?
SDHornet said:
It was positive in that we got a 26,000 seat stadium out of it, network quality lighting and communication upgrades. I'd imagine the turf is being paid up front and if the team folds I would think the turf would stay.
StungAlum
Active member
I like the idea, what could it hurt. Sac State would most likely benefit from the team by alleviating some financial obligations to stadium improvements. Improvements are going to need to be made to Hornet Stadium soon, there's no question about that.
So what, the league may flop after two seasons, but the university will still benefit.
So what, the league may flop after two seasons, but the university will still benefit.
I read that the turf is being paid for by private donations and guarantee money from our future FBS games. If that's the case, what is Sac State getting out of letting the UFL team use the stadium and facilities? A Sac State representative will not be attending the announcement today which is odd considering they will use Sac States facility.
superhornet
Active member
I don't mind renting the facility out to pro teams. It's been done twice before that I know of. I'm surprised we haven't rented the facility to the only pro football team currently IN Sac-Town: the Sirens. (They still haven't figured out where they'll be playing yet. Natomas High was OK until they didn't bother to tell the Sirens that they weren't going to clean up the field after commencement the night before the last game until that night. Getting it switched to Inderkum on that short of notice took some wheeling and dealing, I gather.) It ensures that the school gets badly needed funds during times when the place wouldn't be used that much, anyway.
I'm not sure why the move REQUIRES the replacement of the turf with the artificial turf, though that seems to have been in the works before the move was announced. Plenty of NFL teams play on grass, so what's the big deal about a minor league team playing on grass?
That said, I think Sac would be a nice place for an NFL team to sponsor a training camp. UOP did that for a few years with the Whiners, and they built a completely new facility for UOP and just donated it to the campus. Wouldn't that be a great way to get some facilities built at Sac? Or are there still too many Gerthians left in the administration, too scared to lift a shoestring to do ANYTHING for the athletics program?
I'm not sure why the move REQUIRES the replacement of the turf with the artificial turf, though that seems to have been in the works before the move was announced. Plenty of NFL teams play on grass, so what's the big deal about a minor league team playing on grass?
That said, I think Sac would be a nice place for an NFL team to sponsor a training camp. UOP did that for a few years with the Whiners, and they built a completely new facility for UOP and just donated it to the campus. Wouldn't that be a great way to get some facilities built at Sac? Or are there still too many Gerthians left in the administration, too scared to lift a shoestring to do ANYTHING for the athletics program?
Kadeezy
Active member
I hope the fact that the UFL team is kicking in for the Turf doesn't mean we won't have our "S" at the 50-yard line... That would suck...
UFL team's owner: Move to Sacramento 'makes sense'
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Buzz up!By Jason Jones
[email protected]
Published: Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 1C
Last Modified: Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010 - 8:46 am
Professional football will return to Sacramento this fall in the form of a United Football League franchise.
UFL officials said the California Redwoods, who played their games in the Bay Area last season, will relocate to Sacramento for the upcoming season.
Sacramento's last pro team, the Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League, relocated to San Antonio in 1995.
A news conference is scheduled for today at 2:30 p.m., at the Citizen Hotel, but a UFL group that included Commissioner Michael Huyghue, owner Paul Pelosi and Redwoods coach Dennis Green met Tuesday with The Bee's editorial board.
They said the team will play at Sacramento State and is contributing to pay for the new artificial turf field at Hornet Stadium.
"I think it makes sense," Pelosi said of playing in Sacramento. "Particularly in the Bay Area with the Raiders and 49ers … and with the arrangement to play at Sac State."
The team will hold a contest at the Web site http://www.ufl-football.com to determine a new name for the squad.
Huyghue said the UFL, which played with four teams in its inaugural season in 2009, will expand to six this year and play a 10-game regular season. He said the UFL sought out communities without professional football that weren't actively looking to bring the NFL to their cities.
Pelosi said he would have liked the team to have played a game in Sacramento last season, but scheduling and logistic issues prevented it.
Sac State's new turf and fieldhouse made the arrangement possible this season.
Pelosi said tickets for games will be $20, and they will be played Friday and Saturday nights.
The league doesn't advertise itself as competition to the NFL. Rather it seeks to work with the community. For example, high school players will be able to sell tickets to games and split the cost of the ticket with the team and their high school.
"For this league to be successful, it has to be locally driven," Huyghue said.
Green, the veteran NFL and college coach, guided the Redwoods last season and serves as general manager. He said 45 percent of last season's UFL players had at least one year of NFL experience, and expects that percentage to grow.
He said the league is about giving players who believe their NFL dream is attainable a chance to play. Thirty players from the 200-player roster of the UFL played with NFL teams last season.
Huyghue said the team will start training camp in August in Casa Grande, Ariz., move to Sacramento on Sept. 1 and start playing games Sept. 10. The UFL's season ends the day after Thanksgiving, so players have the opportunity to finish the NFL season with a team.
"The NFL will miss players," Green said. "That's just the way it is."
The UFL lost $30 million last season and projects to lose $15 million this coming season. The goal is to break even in 2011.
The UFL is exploring a third television deal to add to those with Versus and Comcast, and will seek a local radio partner.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
UFL team's owner: Move to Sacramento 'makes sense'
ShareThis
Buzz up!By Jason Jones
[email protected]
Published: Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 1C
Last Modified: Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2010 - 8:46 am
Professional football will return to Sacramento this fall in the form of a United Football League franchise.
UFL officials said the California Redwoods, who played their games in the Bay Area last season, will relocate to Sacramento for the upcoming season.
Sacramento's last pro team, the Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League, relocated to San Antonio in 1995.
A news conference is scheduled for today at 2:30 p.m., at the Citizen Hotel, but a UFL group that included Commissioner Michael Huyghue, owner Paul Pelosi and Redwoods coach Dennis Green met Tuesday with The Bee's editorial board.
They said the team will play at Sacramento State and is contributing to pay for the new artificial turf field at Hornet Stadium.
"I think it makes sense," Pelosi said of playing in Sacramento. "Particularly in the Bay Area with the Raiders and 49ers … and with the arrangement to play at Sac State."
The team will hold a contest at the Web site http://www.ufl-football.com to determine a new name for the squad.
Huyghue said the UFL, which played with four teams in its inaugural season in 2009, will expand to six this year and play a 10-game regular season. He said the UFL sought out communities without professional football that weren't actively looking to bring the NFL to their cities.
Pelosi said he would have liked the team to have played a game in Sacramento last season, but scheduling and logistic issues prevented it.
Sac State's new turf and fieldhouse made the arrangement possible this season.
Pelosi said tickets for games will be $20, and they will be played Friday and Saturday nights.
The league doesn't advertise itself as competition to the NFL. Rather it seeks to work with the community. For example, high school players will be able to sell tickets to games and split the cost of the ticket with the team and their high school.
"For this league to be successful, it has to be locally driven," Huyghue said.
Green, the veteran NFL and college coach, guided the Redwoods last season and serves as general manager. He said 45 percent of last season's UFL players had at least one year of NFL experience, and expects that percentage to grow.
He said the league is about giving players who believe their NFL dream is attainable a chance to play. Thirty players from the 200-player roster of the UFL played with NFL teams last season.
Huyghue said the team will start training camp in August in Casa Grande, Ariz., move to Sacramento on Sept. 1 and start playing games Sept. 10. The UFL's season ends the day after Thanksgiving, so players have the opportunity to finish the NFL season with a team.
"The NFL will miss players," Green said. "That's just the way it is."
The UFL lost $30 million last season and projects to lose $15 million this coming season. The goal is to break even in 2011.
The UFL is exploring a third television deal to add to those with Versus and Comcast, and will seek a local radio partner.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
Hammerhead Dad
Active member
Kadeezy said:
Sad if they are going to compete with the high schools on Friday night. They don't understand our market if that is the case.
SDHornet said:
Me too!
Not much press as not to bring attention to the upgrade being done to athletics, while academia is running through the land with pitchforks! My two pesos.
I was surprised there was no inclusion of a Sac State official at the press conference. At least McElroy had Gerth attend the announcement of the Surge coming to campus back in '92. You can't expect much financial input from the UFL or team, look at the leagues numbers: $30M loss, projected $15M loss this year. Averaging 5,800 fans, which is why they are moving.
I really hope we have our 'S' logo at midfield too.
Maybe this is our test to see if the city/area/facility is ready for this higher calibre of football? If this new UFL team comes in and draws 18-20,000 fans every game, then why not play FBS football?
I was also surprised there was no big splash by the Bee. No evening updates.
Well stated GCM. I have no problem with the UFL playing at Hornet Stadium as no matter how much money they lose, they will still have to pay rent. I just don't want to see Sac State making concessions for the sake of the UFL. The Hornet "S" damn well better be on the 50 yard line. My money is on "SAC" being in the end-zones. I can't recall if this is what we already have, but I know we had it in the past.
Hammerhead Dad said:
Got to remember, he's married to Nancy Pelosi...they don't care about anyone but themselves... :roll:
superhornet
Active member
1. Forget that bogus "S" at midfield. I wanna see either SAC there or the old Herky.
2. I thought something looked fishy about the Redwoods' leadership. Sounds like collusion to me....
2. I thought something looked fishy about the Redwoods' leadership. Sounds like collusion to me....
The "S" is not bogus and it will probably be at midfield, as it should be.
Phantom Hornet
Active member
SactoHornetAlum said:
My two cents is that the S is okay, I love the old SAC though...loved them on the back of the helmets for the Davis game. I hope they keep them there like the V on Fresno's.
Anyone think about the fact that we might get to see some old Hornets playing for our UFL team on their old field? Cyrus, Fred Otis...perhaps Charles (doubt it since he gets paid more up north)? Could be kinda fun.
I think that the way the economy is right now and all the cutbacks that are going on I think that the athletic dept is keeping a low key on the upgrades because you know there will people bitching about staff cutbacks and academic dept. cut backs and the football team getting a new $1,000,000.00 + field. Could be wrong, but that might be why there is not a lot of hype coming out of the athletic dept.SDHornet said:
